2024-08-06
“the best moments in our lives, are not the passive, receptive, relaxing times… The best moments usually occur when a person’s body or mind is stretched to its limits in a voluntary effort to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Optimal experience is thus something that we make happen.” — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
I’ve always asked the question “why?” whenever something catches my interest or seems odd to me. Some people think I’m eccentric for questioning the mundane, while others see it as simple curiosity. But I never really stopped to ponder why I ask these questions—until I came across two books that illuminated the topic: Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charlie T. Munger and Start with Why by Simon Sinek.
Munger emphasizes the importance of staying curious and continuously learning about a wide variety of subjects. He believes that success often comes from connecting different ideas in unexpected ways. In his book, he frequently discusses psychology and how it can be harnessed to create the right incentives, leading to desirable behaviors within organizations. For instance, Munger shares an example of how removing hourly wages and allowing employees to leave early if their work is finished improved efficiency at a UPS hub. This idea of setting up the right incentives is something we can borrow for our own lives. What doors would financial success open for you?
Sinek, on the other hand, offers a compelling explanation for Apple’s remarkable success—they start with “why.” Their why is to “challenge the status quo and think differently… [by creating products that are] beautifully designed, simple to use, and user-friendly.” When everyone in a company understands the why, Sinek explains, it provides a solid foundation for making the right decisions.
This brings me to a broader question: why do we do what we do, especially when easier, more comfortable options are available? You could have stayed in your career, climbed the ladder, and secured a better-paying position. Yes, that path might have been repetitive, but it also offered a sense of security. Yet, you chose the wild cards, full of uncertainty and risk. The thrill lies in answering the question, “Can I?” Can I learn to invest and manage a stock portfolio? Can I grow a startup into a thriving company? Can I create and market a new product? It might take a lifetime to find these answers, but that’s what makes the journey exciting and worthwhile.
Choosing this path means you get to own everything, both the successes and the failures, because you are taking all the risks. This is exciting because you are not subject to somebody else’s ideas of what is right and wrong. You get to make decisions and be accountable for them. There is an immense satisfaction in knowing that your destiny is in your own hands. You are responsible for your achievements and your mistakes, and this ownership brings a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment.
By stepping away from the conventional path, you embrace a journey filled with learning, growth, and innovation. Every day presents new challenges and opportunities, pushing you to expand your skills and knowledge. This dynamic environment keeps you engaged and motivated, as you constantly strive to overcome obstacles and reach new heights. The uncertainty that comes with this path is not a drawback but a driving force that fuels your passion and ambition.
Ultimately, this path allows you to live a life true to your own values and aspirations. You are not confined by the expectations or limitations set by others. Instead, you have the freedom to explore, experiment, and create, leading to a more meaningful and rewarding experience. This pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment is what makes the journey worthwhile, despite the risks and uncertainties involved.
Copyright 2024, Brian Lee